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A smooth ceiling, done in the right order: a walkthrough first, dust contained, the popcorn or stipple removed, then the whole ceiling skim coated, sanded and painted.
A few details help us plan the job and prepare an accurate quote.
Ceiling inspected before we quote
The whole ceiling, not just scraped
Rooms sealed, floors covered
Typical removal project
Replacing a textured ceiling with a smooth finish creates a surface that collects less dust, is easier to clean and needs less upkeep. Smooth ceilings also reflect more natural and artificial light, so rooms feel brighter, more spacious and more inviting.
One room or the whole house, a smooth ceiling changes how the space looks and feels. Tell us which rooms and we’ll explain the best approach before we quote.
A smooth surface doesn't trap dust, cobwebs and allergens the way popcorn texture does.
Flat ceilings reflect light evenly, so rooms look brighter, cleaner and larger.
Removing dated texture updates the whole room and makes your home more appealing to buyers.
Smooth ceilings are simple to patch and repaint, with far less maintenance over the years.
Stipple looks dated, catches shadows and is hard to patch. Removing it is only half the job. Scraping leaves seams and gouges, so we skim coat the entire ceiling, sand it, prime it and paint it flat. That’s what makes it look like it was always smooth.
Keeping the texture? If it’s well attached and you only want a fresh colour, it can be repainted instead. See ceiling painting.
From the first walkthrough to the final check, you always know what happens next.
We inspect the ceiling, confirm the rooms, review the surface condition, and explain the best approach for removal and finishing.
We cover floors, walls, furniture, and fixtures, then set up the work area to keep the project as clean and organized as possible.
The popcorn or stipple texture is removed carefully, then we repair imperfections and skim coat where needed for a smoother surface.
We sand the ceiling smooth, inspect the finish, clean the work area, and prepare the surface for primer and paint.
The final coats follow the same standard as our ceiling painting service: flat paint, a wet edge and a check in low-angle light.
Most removal projects take one to five days, and you can usually stay home. Two things most often change the time and the price.
Paint stops water softening it, so it's scraped in stages, needs more skim coating and costs more.
Loose tape, sagging drywall or water damage are fixed with drywall repair first.
Joint compound has to dry fully before sanding, so even one room runs over more than one day.
Rooms stay closed until painted. Keep children and pets out, move valuables and expect some noise.
Usually priced per square foot, covering the full job: protection, removal, skim coat, sanding, primer and paint. Your quote is firm once we’ve measured.
Yes, though it takes longer. Paint stops water from softening the texture, so it’s scraped in stages and usually needs more skim coating afterwards. It costs more than unpainted texture.
The ceiling is finished. After removal we repair, skim coat the whole ceiling, sand, prime and paint. Scraping alone leaves a surface that looks worse than the texture did.
Most projects take one to five days. Drying time between skim coats is the main reason a single room takes more than a day.
Scraping and sanding are dusty, which is why rooms are sealed with plastic, floors covered and the texture wetted before scraping. We clean up before we leave.
Matching old stipple so a patch disappears is difficult, so for damaged texture, removing it across the whole room usually gives the best result. Tell us about your ceiling and we’ll recommend the right option.
It’s usually priced per square foot and depends on area, height, whether the texture is painted and the repairs needed. See the cost section above, then book a free visit for a firm price.
Fresh walls and trim complete the room. Planning several rooms? See interior painting.
Tell us which rooms and whether the texture has been painted over. We’ll explain the next step, measure the ceilings and send a clear quote.
